Box it up

Christian
Eriksen admits to be interested in a move to Spurs. Although at the moment, the only move is the one he's making,
tapping himself up to get Spurs to notice. In fact, it seems that Eriksen is alerting all that will turn their heads to face him that he
fancies a move away from Ajax. Shop window open, lack of passing
customers stopping to take a look. Might have something to do with his form. In fact
far too many have commented on his erraticness to suggest that the £15M
or so being touted as a price tag is overblown and laughable when we
spent £1.5M on Holtby (not quite the same type of player but you'll only be able to start one of them). Best we
endeavour to get the best out of what we've got rather than sign another
player that isn't required.

Talking
of lack of form, Alen Halilovic is suffering out in Croatia. The
opinion is, he's hit a break wall in his development and needs a move.
Amazing, considering he's only 17 years of age. Amazing in that the
opinion suggests his current club don't have the resources to improve
him, challenge him. That might be true. I'm not an expert on Croatian
football, but I doubt there's a comparison in facilities between us and
Dinamo Zagreb. That and the calibre of players he'll be lining
up/training with. He's considered one of their brightest young
starlets, but has struggled recently.

The
deal, last time round, broke down due to his father rejecting the
original package to join Spurs. The rumours have been persistent for a
couple of days now that a fee has again been agreed with Dinamo, his dad
allegedly was in England (although for other reasons). The point being, this still looks
like it's happening. Spurs very much desiring to take responsibility for
the player.

However, he wouldn't actually be
able to join us until he turned 18 (next June). Hence the reluctance from his father - the player will be stuck in a stagnated state until he's age permits otherwise. Unless he joins another club (in Europe) where he's permitted to move now.

via Alexsandar Holiga (journalist) - I have no idea what will happen. A transfer + loan to another European club seems the best option, but Alen's dad is very picky

There's a chance we could be disappointed again, unless Spurs lend a hand in allowing the player to escape a year early.

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Spurs
linked with 25 year old Watford forward, Troy Deeney. After some of the
players we've been linked with, this is a little underwhelming.
Although if Spurs plan to sign two more strikers, they'd be replacing
the two we have. Well, actually, no. AVB confirms Defoe isn't leaving.
But then, he said Bale wasn't, then he settled for ambiguity instead of
certainty. My point is, we can't trust everything that's quoted. So, I
can't say I trust this particular story either.

Watford have been
linked with a loan move for Tom Carroll. Strange one if it happens.
Would prefer to see him play in the Prem. My preference is for him to
stay at Spurs, get experience and time in cup games, alongside his team
mates. However I won't be disgruntled if he was playing regularly for say
a promoted side in the Prem or another seasoned club willing to take
him. We'll find out just how good he could be. Maybe he isn't ready. If
he's not ready then that might suggest he's not as good as I hope he
could be. I'm waffling.

The point here is, we expect a lot from
youngsters that come up from the academy, because its a rarity that any
of them make the grade with the first team. So, sure, we get a little
excitable about it. There is so much more exposure these days with
coverage of youth football, so this also builds up expectation. Carroll
has looked mature and composed on the field when he's played for Spurs.
His talent is very evident at club and international youth levels. The
question is, or more so, the conundrum is he isn't good enough to start
for Spurs so is he good enough for his development to be spent making
cameos? A stint in the Championship might allow the right amount of
comfort for him to find a consistent tempo. At the time of writing, this
is only a rumour (not seen anything more to suggest this will happen).
So will revisit if and when it does. Scored a decent goal for England against Scotland tonight.

-

Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore rumoured for a Hull City move. Former permanent, the latter on loan. Considering the collection of midfielders, this isn't too far a stretch of the imagination. But Huddlestone at Hull? He can aim higher than that. Sunderland are still keen.

He's going to need a taller ladder.

-

If
you're wondering where Etienne Capoue is, don't fret. He's undergoing a
medical in the labyrinth, pitting his wits against David Bowie.

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Erik
Lamela. No apparent evidence (when has that stopped us from dreaming)
to suggest a deal has been struck or a bid made or anything of
consequence. Only the tease that a player that fits the bill for what we
need is being linked. And what with our prolificness this window, that
tease is something more tangible thanks the money being spent and the ambition being displayed.

A forward.
Electric pace. Dribbling ability. Box office player. Obviously not
deemed good enough as an alternative for Real Madrid to look at. For us,
he could play wide or forward. He will cost a bomb. It will mean us having to break our transfer record for a third time in a single window. He's even got himself a heart celebration. However, cost and selection wise, you'd have to slap
yourself awake and consider that having Bale at the club along with
Chadli and Soldado...is this a player too far unless Bale moves on? Then again, I'm only making that assumption because Soldado will play up front so Lamela - theoretically - would have to play behind the front or out wide.